Boston Bruins trade Battle Creek's Knight at NHL trade deadline

First a little surprised, but now excited about the future, Battle Creek's Jared Knight was traded just prior to the NHL trade deadline on Monday.

Knight, who attended the Lakeview school system, was traded from the Boston Bruins to the Minnesota Wild in a deal involving prospects.

Knight, a winger, goes to Minnesota in exchange for center Zack Phillips.

"Right when I heard it, it was surprising. I was at the gym, got a text from agent to keep my a head up. Then I got a call from Boston and they told me what went on," said Knight. "So it was kind of a shock at the time, I didn't expect it.

"But now that I've had time to think about it, I think it is a pretty cool experience changing teams, changing organizations. It will be a fresh start for me with a fresh slate."

Knight was a second-round draft pick by the Boston Bruins in the 2010 NHL draft as the 32nd pick overall. Knight has played 107 AHL games for the Boston Bruins minor league affiliate Providence. He is the first-ever NHL draft pick from Battle Creek.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound 23-year-old has battled some bad luck and injury during his pro career, slowing his progress toward making his NHL debut. This season, Knight has played 36 games. He signed a three-year entry level NHL contract initially with Boston and will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season for Minnesota.

Minnesota had Knight report to its AHL affiliate the Iowa Wild on Tuesday and as the Battle Creek native reached the airport, he was eager for the next stage of his pro career.

"I was able to talk to the Minnesota GM yesterday and I'm excited about what's next," Knight said. "It's a brand new team, a new fresh start. It's the kind of start I needed. Things didn't work out in Boston, but I think they can work out here.

"On some teams, things don't exactly click. That may have been what was happening in Boston - I don't know. But that's where a fresh start will help me."

The Iowa Wild AHL season runs through the middle of April.

"Just looking to play hard the rest of the season, show them I can play and see what happens after that," Knight said. "It's a great opportunity with a new franchise."